Hadi, the former Terengganu Menteri Besar, is presently member of parliament for Marang and state assemblyman for Rhu Rendang.

Nik Aziz said that there was no time limit for a leader who struggled for Islam, while Anwar and Lim stressed that Hadi must contest because his participation was a crucial factor for Pakatan Rakyat.

“PAS agrees with the Murshidul Am’s view, that the struggle for Islam has no time limit, in fact it should be to the end of life. Although positions can change hands, PAS still needs Hadi to lead,” stressed Tuan Ibrahim.

He described Hadi's offer as a manifestation of humbleness as required from Muslim leaders.

“Islam teaches us not to vie for positions, at the same one cannot avoid the people who want to be led,” said Tuan Ibrahim.

Mat Sabu: I need him

Echoing him, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said Hadi’s offer demonstrated the most important quality of a Muslim leader.

“Positions and fame are not the object of our struggle, instead it is the trust and responsibility. Hadi’s leadership is still strongly needed by PAS and its members.

"As a deputy president, I too still need the president to lead PAS to greater heights,” Mat Sabu toldHarakahdaily.

Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan meanwhile opined that some had misunderstood Hadi’s offer as a final decision.

“Some had even spinned the news to suggest a friction in PAS. The fact is, Hadi only made an offer to not contest, if he is chosen, he wanted to contest only one seat,” he said.

On Hadi’s offer to withdraw to make ways for younger leaders, Nasrudin said it was exemplary for an Islamic activist.

“However, one should not think he is abandoning the struggle, it is just letting go a position,” he stressed.

Saying the issue was a non-issue, Nasrudin however said for PAS’s enemies, it was predictable that the issue of Hadi's offer would be blown up.

“When even the Qur'an is spun to suit them... they never are tired,” he quipped.